Question

A recent article in the Huffington Post talks about New York Governor Cuomo’s recent executive order mandating that police remove homeless people from the streets when the temperature goes below freezing http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/andrew-cuomo-homeless-freezing-temperatures_5689d677e4b0b958f65c0100 . Does this violate people’s rights? Does the state have the responsibility to do this, or is this overreach?  

What about the panhandlers on every corner in Worcester. The state supreme court has ruled it a violation for the city to restrict them --how come we (society) are enablers of mentally ill and alcohol/drug addicted people?

Answer 1

One of the most important responsibilities of a chosen government is to ensure the welfare of its citizens by protecting them in times of difficulty. Protecting the welfare may be to protect them from both internal and external attacks, making sure that they have the basic needs such as food, water and shelter. So, I think that the New York Governor Cuomo’s order mandating that police to remove homeless people from the streets when the temperature goes below freezing. I also feel that it shouldn’t on a temporary basis but on a permanent basis in order to ensure that they protect each and every citizens who elected them to the position.

Everyone on the street begging or staying homeless is the result of the unjust and unequal treatment of people in the society. They society is under constant war for resources and this created the class difference where few people enjoy most of the wealth thus forcing the majority to the edge of life. Few among this majority end up jobless, homeless and addicted to drugs. We all as a society has a very big responsibility to change this by making sure that they are also included in the society by providing them with food and shelter until they are ready to support themselves with a job.